In watching the news of all that is occurring around us, we may feel that the entire universe is against us. Perhaps the chaos of change is waiting for a new direction. An article by Brazilian entrepreneur Gustavo Tanaka published (in Huffington Post) back on Dec. 16, 2015, titled; "Something Extraordinary Is Happening in the World and Most People Haven't Noticed", stated that the world is changing and points out eight reasons that lead him to believe it. 
It was, perhaps, visionary, even prophetic, as the events of the past few years proved his intuitions. But as is the case in insights such as his, there is a positive and a dark side to them. Unfortunately, we are finding ourselves in a disparaging tailspin. However, it does not have to be so. Many see opportunities to be seized. We are at a great crossroad in history. How we plan it, map it, build it and use it will determine the outcome of our future in everything, healthcare included. So, as we take time off to celebrate the wonderful traditions of this time of the year, let’s take a few moments to reflect on what is ahead, and how to structure it so that it will serve humanity positively, productively and effectively.
Politicians worldwide have proven incapable of understanding this concept of change. Perhaps because most are too old and stuck in their old ideology. This dangerous ignorance of the changes ahead, is causing such havoc that it may become impossible to resolve. It is therefore up to visionary people, such as Tanaka to point out the right path and hope to have enough people follow it to correct our bungling. Let’s pray and hope so!

Happy Holidays!

I was glued to the round black and white TV screen in the 1960s when Allen Shepard - in a space suit - blasted off on his 5-minute trip to space on a Redstone rocket. That trip took years of training and preparation by Shepard, and millions of dollars of the national budget. On December 8th, 2021, Shepard's daughter, Laura Shepard Churchley made the same trip with five others with literally no training and minimal preparation in the airline type cabin of the Blue Origin.
In medicine, too, our advances have been phenomenal. When Dr. Salk developed the polio vaccine, it took him more than ten years of research and development. In contrast, the first vaccine for Covid-19 was ready to use in about a year. We have come a long way in the past few years of human history and moving ever faster into the future.
Despite the many scientific advances, our world is deteriorating into chaos and mayhem. Wars around the world, along with out-of-control crime, are pushing societies to the brink of collapse. The next century will propel mankind into a future unimaginable by many. Whether it will be toward a true utopia of possibilities or the chaos of dystopian nightmares is up to us. Guiding civilization in the right path is a task of our politicians, civil leaders, and all mankind. It is time for the younger generation to step up and take control. Let’s stop funding wars and bolster humanity instead!